Mailchimp is the default recommendation for small lists because the editor, templates, and automation builder are approachable without training. It handles campaigns, basic automation flows, and a landing-page builder. The free tier covers a small contact list with limited sends.
Who it is for
A small business sending a monthly newsletter that needs templates a non-marketer can edit.
Key features
- Drag-and-drop campaign editor
- Basic automation flows and journeys
- Landing page builder
- Audience segmentation and tags
- Transactional email via Mandrill add-on
- Free tier caps contacts and sends
Where it falls short
Pricing jumps sharply as the list grows, and deliverability reputation has become less reliable than dedicated transactional providers.
Pricing
Free tier covers a small contact list with a monthly send cap; paid plans scale by contact count, and the gate is that automation journeys and A/B testing are paid.
Prices move; the tier structure is the part that stays true. Check current pricing on Mailchimp.
Still deciding?
Alternatives to Mailchimp
Frequently asked
Is Mailchimp free?
Partly. Free tier covers a small contact list with a monthly send cap; paid plans scale by contact count, and the gate is that automation journeys and A/B testing are paid.
What is Mailchimp best for?
A small business sending a monthly newsletter that needs templates a non-marketer can edit.
What are the best alternatives to Mailchimp?
The closest substitutes we list are Kit, Resend and beehiiv. They sit in a similar price bracket but make a different trade-off, so read the weaknesses section of each review before switching.
Which platforms does Mailchimp run on?
Mailchimp is available on Web and API.